Pattan's Pumpkin: questions to ask and activities to try
Pattan cares for a wilting vine, and it grows into a pumpkin big enough to save everyone from a flood. Pattan's Pumpkin is a vibrant flood story from the Irular people of southern India.
What age is it for? Pattan's Pumpkin is best for ages 3–7. Good for: Caring for living things, and a flood tale from India.
Pattan's Pumpkin (Chitra Soundar and Frané Lessac)
- Age
- 3-7
- Best for
- Caring for living things, and a flood tale from India
Read it like a storyteller. Afterwards, talk about how caring for something small led to something big, and look for similar stories you know.
What it helps with
- Caring for plants and animals
- Kindness repaid
- Traditional tales from India
- Floods and nature's power
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “What did Pattan find?”
- “How did he care for it?”
- “What did it grow into?”
- “What happened when the flood came?”
- “Who was saved?”
- “What could you care for?”
5-minute activities to try together
Grow a pumpkin
Plant pumpkin or squash seeds, and care for them like Pattan.
Ark of friends
Line up toy animals in a box “pumpkin” to keep them safe from a pretend flood.
Free printables: Pattan's Pumpkin worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
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If your child liked this, try
The Tiny Seed (Eric Carle)
- Best for
- Patience, feeling small, and keeping going
- Age
- 3-7
No Dinner! (Jessica Souhami)
- Best for
- Quick thinking, and a traditional tale from India
- Age
- 3-7
Hot Hippo (Mwenye Hadithi and Adrienne Kennaway)
- Best for
- Keeping promises, and a traditional-style animal tale
- Age
- 3-7
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.